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Yeah, wait 'til 5K then close the door.
The mirror on NASA's Stratospheric Observatory
for Infrared Astronomy was cleaned recently in
preparation for the first full cycle of
science observations. Because of the sensitive
exposed optics, the telescope cavity of the
heavily modified 747 is designed to serve
as a clean room. However, contamination of
the optics builds up over time.
Thus, while the aircraft and its systems were
upgraded at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations
Facility in Palmdale, California,
telescope technicians used water, a mild detergent
and a small filtered blower to remove dust and
other material that had adhered to the mirror's
surface. This is in preparation for the next
astronomy observation period, known as Cycle 1,
which will begin in late 2012 and continue
through December 2013.